JUST TODAY CHANGE OF INGREDIENTS

[lacy]

I am pretty upset right now. I just looked and the ingredients for California natural and just today they have changed them. It now says Brown Rice, then just rice. It didnt say that yesterday. I am SO concerned because just yesterday one of my cats has started drinking water like crazy. This morning someone (not sure who) threw up yellow liquid. Another one yesterday was in the Emergency vet because his eyes were swollen and goopy. Im a little scared. Im not sure if I should switch. I am very upset about the ingredient change. Is everyone else still doing okay on this???

[Javas Mom]

Lacy, our three cats are halfway through a bag we bought just a little over a week ago and all have been fine. I expect the change of ingredient list may merely be a more detailed explanation of their ingredients rather than a "sinister admission" of something. If you click on their explanation of rice on the list, it seems pretty straightforward. I think food companies are finally realizing that we are scrutizing everything on their packages these days and we don't want just a "general idea" of what's in the bag.  How long have your cats been on CN? I hope it's nothing serious and that they're feeling better soon.

[garypen]

At least they're being forthcoming, and making the appropriate changes to the list of ingredients. But, I don't particularly just "rice" being in the ingredients, even if it is pure 100% unadulterated US grade A rice.

I'm glad it's not rice powder, rice gluten, etc. But, white rice is basically just carbs. Brown rice, otoh, is full of nutrients and fiber. The two are VERY different. (Different in price, as well, I would imagine, or we wouldn't be seeing the white rice at all. It would be all brown rice.)

I might have to reconsider my dry food choice now.

[Tommyboy]

"I think food companies are finally realizing that we are scrutizing everything on their packages these days and we don't want just a "general idea" of what's in the bag."

And its about time for all of them to realize it.

[Davis]

Lacy, which CN food are you talking about?  Are you talking about the Chicken and Rice dry food formula.  And where are you seeing a change?  Which website?  The ingredient list on the bag of food I have matches Natura's website exactly.  I don't see any changes.  These are the same ingredients I've been seeing since I started investigating this food.  First 5 ingredients are:
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Rice, Chicken fat

I have had no problems with this food.  If your cats are exposed to the outdoors, they might just have a virus or something. Swollen and goopy eyes suggest another type of illness. Try to calm down (I know it's hard).  I don't think it's the food.

[garypen]

That's odd. I don't remember just "rice" listed on the website either. I've always noticed how "brown rice" never had a pull-down description, and would have noticed "rice" below it since it has a pull-down.

But, if you say it's on the bag, then it must have been in the food for a while. (We know how long it takes these companies to change the product labels. )

I wonder if the website was even more out-of-date? I sent them an email a few days ago asking for them to confirm their labels and web ingredients, among other things. I never got a response. But, maybe it did motivate somebody to check the accuracy of both?

[Davis]

I thought I was sure and now I don't know.  Who can argue with the chief?  But I do know it is on the bag. Don't you have your bag Gary?  Check it.  The way labeling is, I can't imagine the website would be more outdated than the bag.  But if you look at the ingredient lists on other websites, such as Amazon or PFD, they still list only brown rice.  I'm not going to panic over the brown/white thing.  I'm more concerned that the rice is free of contaminates.  I remember reading somewhere a while back that it was best to have a mix of rice, because brown is harder for them to digest.  Don't know if that's true or not.  Maybe someone should call the company and just ask if they have changed the formula or ingredient list. That would answer it right now.

[Tommyboy]

Does that mean they use brown rice and white rice? Or just one if the other is unavailable?

[garypen]

I would have checked my bag before. But, and I know this is hard to believe, I don't bring my cat food to work. Crazy, I know. Looking at the bags now (I saved them, just in case), I see that the first bag does not list rice. The second bag, with an expiration date only two days later, does. The first one is a 4lb bag, and the second one is 8lb, so it could be a matter of using up older bags. (Damn loose labeling laws!)

Of course, the most important thing is that it not poison. If we get past that hurdle, we're almost home. But, I'd rather avoid white rice in cat food if possible, as it is almost all carbohydrate. And, I am trying to watch their carbs, for obvious cat health reasons. If they're gonna eat carbs, I'd rather they were higher-quality higher-fiber carbs such as in brown rice. The fact that brown rice is difficult to digest is probably a good thing. Less carbs absorbed in their system. More fiber moving the hairballs along. (Just like in humans. Only cats should be getting even less carbs than humans.)

[Tommyboy]

What are the "natural flavors" listed in the ingredient panel? And why are their exact compositions proprietary? Anyone from CalNat??

[garypen]

That's a pretty normal way of listing it. It's the same in human foods. Look at a can of coke or pepsi.

As long as they are not lying, and it is indeed natural, then I'm not too worried. They do describe it on the website in the pull-down for that ingredient. Sounds ok to me. And, I don't blame them for keeping that info propietary, as it is the thing that makes the food attractive to cats. Obviously, they'd like as few other brands as possible to be as attractive.

[lacy]

Thanks for all your replies guys. Im trying to calm down. Yes, it was the Chicken and Rice dry. They have been on it for about a week and a half. I have been checking the website everyday, just to make sure they havent changed the list, and today they definitely have. My bag still says Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Sunflower oil... I called and asked and the lady and she really didnt know what to tell me. She didnt know when it was changed. But she did assure me there was no rice protein/gluten in it. She wanted me to send in a sample of food since one of the cats is drinking tons of water and someone threw up. She also told me to get a bad with a different date. Im not sure what to think of that. Not sure that i will actually do that either. Ill just keep an eye on my babies and make sure im not just panicking!

[Tommyboy]

I guess what bothers me is the use of the word "Chemical", I am not a chemist, I dont know what this is all about even though I may have ate/drank it all my life.




Flavor creation
Most food and beverage companies do not create their own flavors but instead employ the services of a flavor company. Food and beverage companies may require flavors for new products, product line extensions (e.g., low fat versions of existing products) or due to changes in formula or processing for existing products.

The flavor creation is done by a specially trained scientist called a "flavorist." The flavorist's job combines extensive scientific knowledge of the chemical palette with artistic creativity to develop new and distinctive flavors. The flavor creation begins when the flavorist receives a brief from the client. In the brief the client will attempt to communicate exactly what type of flavor they seek, in what application it will be used, and any special requirements (e.g., must be all natural). The communication barrier can be quite difficult to overcome since most people aren't experienced at describing flavors. The flavorist will use his or her knowledge of the available chemical ingredients to create a formula and compound it on an electronic balance. The flavor will then be submitted to the client for testing. Several iterations, with feedback from the client, may be needed before the right flavor is found.

Additional work may also be done by the flavor company. For example, the flavor company may conduct sensory taste tests to test consumer acceptance of a flavor before it is sent to the client or to further investigate the "sensory space." The flavor company may also employ application specialists who work to ensure the flavor will work in the application for which it is intended. This may require special flavor delivery technologies that are used to protect the flavor during processing or cooking so that the flavor is only released when eaten by the end consumer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavor

[garypen]

I would think that "natural" would preclude the use of chemicals. But, I may be wrong.

[Tommyboy]

That is what seems tricky. Look at what I found about benzaldehyde, commonly used as an almond flavoring;

Uses
While it is commonly employed as a commercial food flavourant (almond flavour) or industrial solvent, benzaldehyde is used chiefly in the synthesis of other organic compounds, ranging from pharmaceuticals to plastic additives. It is also an important intermediate for the processing of perfume and flavouring compounds and in the preparation of certain aniline dyes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzaldehyde

It seems that it is used to make plastics as well?